I’m sure all of you have seen videos of “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,” filtering through your Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds. The nominations to pour ice water in order to raise awareness and increase donations for ALS research have been spreading like wildfire worldwide. But the question still remains: how many of the people who participated in this challenge really know what the cause is?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), one of the most common of the five known motor neuron diseases, is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes its victims to progressively lose control of their muscles, speech, swallowing and their breathing. Only 4% of patients are known to survive longer than ten years after its onset.
In order to raise awareness and funds for research, participants of the ice bucket challenge are expected dump ice water on their heads and nominate three others to do the same. Nominees are expected to donate $10 if they complete the challenge or a $100 if they are unable to do so.
Although inherently created to raise awareness for an amazing cause, the ice bucket challenge does not go without criticism. It has been criticized for focusing on the fun of the activity, whereas the center of attention should remain on the seriousness issue itself, rather than playfulness of the activity.
Often, the term “slacktivism” has been used to describe the ice bucket challenge, as many choose to just dump water instead of donating. Slacktivism, a blend of the words slacker and activism, is used to describe the “feel-good” factor of supporting a cause rather than actually making a difference of any sort. One may join an organization and feel good while under the impression that they are benefitting the cause simply by being a part of it.
When speaking to Peyton Emery (10) about this method of awareness and “slacktivism” she said that it is a given “that there’s always going to be people who are unaware of their aims when there’s such a big fundraiser,” but went on to say that she thinks the “majority of the people have gained knowledge about ALS.” According to Peyton, although there are always some people who feel as though they are helping, but are not, there are others who really are helping and that is what matters.
In our case, it is true that one of the primary goals of the challenge is to raise awareness and by dumping water on ourselves, one is informing their followers on social media that they are dedicating this to ALS. This has prompted many to research ALS and teach themselves a little about the cause, the disease and its effects. Yet, there are a number of people who participate in the challenge, but do not have a clue what the foundation stands for or even donate for that matter. Often, participants simply do it for the enjoyment of others and this is when the criticisms start to make sense.
Obviously, the ice bucket challenge is dedicated to a great cause. Since the start of the Ice Bucket Challenge, a difference has been made to various ALS-research foundations. Prior to the challenge, awareness of the disease and donations for its research were limited, but currently, donations are soaring. In about two months, the ALS Association succeeded in raising approximately $41.8 million dollars and this is just one of many ALS charities.
The challenge has also been called out for wasting water, which in itself is a cause for worry, while others believe that there are causes of equal importance that need as much awareness as the ALS foundations.
Criticism is never-ending and this applies for almost everything, be it a great cause like ALS research or the creation of nail polishes to help girls protect themselves from date rape.
The challenge really has brought about change and achieved its goal of raising considerable donations and awareness, so the issue only really remains with the few people who make light of such serious matters.
Critics aim to voice their opinions and say, don’t do the ice bucket challenge because “it’s the cool thing to do.” Do it because you genuinely believe that your donation is going to help someone or because five seconds of sheer pain on your behalf will teach someone else about ALS. Don’t do it because it makes you look like a better person. Do it because you are a caring human being willing to take some times out of your life to teach yourself about the struggles of others.
Arya Bhai
